RF1 notes Useful information

Where to send the form

Please send your form and appropriate fee to:

Solicitor's Regulation Authority
Operations Unit
Ipsley Court
Berrington Close
Redditch
B98 0TD
or
DX 19114 Redditch

Alternatively, to pay by credit card or bank transfer, fax your renewal form and payment form to +44 (0)1527 519150.

Any payment unaccompanied by an application form will be held for a maximum of 30 days before being returned to the sender.

Recognised bodies and Recognised sole practitioners

Please note it would be helpful if you returned this form with your firm's RB renewal form, to renew the firm's recognition, which has been sent to the firm's contact. If you are a recognised sole practitioner please return this form with your application form RSP renewal, to renew your authorisation to practise as a recognised sole practitioner. This will assist us when processing your applications.

How to pay

You can pay the full amount by cheque, postal order, bank transfer or credit card. There is a handling charge of 1.75 per cent for Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, Delta or Electron payments. Diners and American Express are not accepted.

To pay by credit/debit card, complete the credit/debit authorisation form (PDF 43K) and return it with your application form.

You may pay by cash, at your own risk, but this is not recommended, and we will not be held responsible for monies not received.

Recognised bodies and recognised sole pracitioners

You can make one payment to include fees for this application and the application form RB renewal (if you are renewing your firm's recognition) or the application form RSP renewal (if you are a recognised sole practitioner renewing your authorisation). If you choose to make one payment in respect of both application forms, you must return both application forms together.

Who to the cheque payable to

Make your cheque payable to the Law Society, and put your SRA number on the back of the cheque (for your SRA number, see "Main office and contact " on section A1.1 of the form).

All foreign cheques must be endorsed, i.e. signed and dated on the reverse by the drawer. It may take up to eight weeks for a foreign cheque to clear our account. Your application will not be considered "received" until the funds have cleared in our account. We do not accept postal orders drawn outside the United Kingdom.

Receipt for the fee and form

We do not issue receipts for application forms or fees.

What to do if a solicitor does not want to renew his or her practising certificate

Indicate the reason(s) for not renewing the certificateif necessary, on a separate sheet. For example, a solicitor might not need a practising certificate if he/she

• has retired,
• has stopped practising,
• is now a stipendiary magistrate or judge, or
• is on maternity leave or adoption leave.

We need written confirmation from the individual solicitor that he/she does not want a new certificate.

Please amend the details on the fees summary page and recalculate the fees required.

If your organisation employs solicitors who are on the roll but do not hold a practising certificate, write "non-practising uncertificated" and provide an explanation on a separate sheet: for example, "Exempt from holding a practising certificate under section 88 of the Solicitors Act 1974" (e.g. civil servant) or "non-practisingemployed to do public relations work only."

If you are not sure whether a solicitor needs a practising certificate, contact Professional Ethics.

If an assistant solicitor's name is shown on the firm's notepaper while she is on maternity leave, he/she must either hold a current practising certificate, or the notepaper must clearly show that she is not practising.

What to do if there has been a major change to the practicefor example, a merger or amalgamation

If you are involved in a merger you can use the form to notify us of the changes. If necessary, provide additional information on separate sheets attached to the form. If you need further assistance, contact us.

What to do if a solicitor's name has changed

Write the new name and the date the change became effective on a separate sheet for that solicitor. Attach a signed copy of prooffor example, a photocopy of their marriage certificate or a certified copy of a deed poll.

Refund for practising certificates

There is no provision in the Solicitors Act 1974 for the revocation of a practising certificate or any refund of the fee.

Who to include on the form

Include details of all solicitors, RELs and RFLs in your organisation.

If your organisation is not paying for a solicitor's practising certificate (perhaps because he/she has more than one practice), you should check that they have applied on another form. If they have not applied please ask the individual to contact us for an individual application form (RF3).

If you add new solicitors, RELs or RFLs to the form, you must enter them under their main practising address.

Please check to see if any solicitor in your organisation is now subject to Regulation 3.1 of the Practising Regulations (formerly section 12(1) of the Solicitors Act 1974).

What to do if you need more information

If we know that Regulation 3.1 of the Practising Regulations applies when the form is produced, details will be printed in section 7 "Regulation 3". For details of the categories, see Regulation 3.1 of the Practising Regulations.

If Regulation 3.1 applies to a solicitor or REL, an additional form REG3 must be completed before their practising certificate or registration can be issued. If you require a REG3 form, contact us or download the form at www.sra.org.uk/REG3.